Beanie having one or more openings

ABSTRACT

A preferably knit beanie has an opening allowing a wearer&#39;s long hair to pass therethrough. The opening is bordered by a smooth sewn cuff that prevents a wearer&#39;s hair from tangling or getting caught as it passes through the opening. Multiple openings permit wearer&#39;s to create a stylish creation with the hair passing through the multiple openings.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/304,044 filed Jul. 11, 2001.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to hats. More particularly, an opening in the hat facilitates hat wearing for long-haired individuals by permitting the hair be threaded through the opening in such a manner that the hat resides near the individual's head.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] Hat wearing has become very popular in today's society. Both men and women wear hats as fashion statements. Unfortunately, long-haired individuals face inherent difficulties in wearing hats. For example, it is difficult to place the hat properly on one's head with a full head of long hair. Moreover, individuals, particularly women, do not desire to bunch their hair inside a hat for fear of ruining their hair style. The patent literature includes one or more patents directed to allowing hair to pass through a hat.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,799 (“the '799 patent”) discloses an opening in a hat or hood for allowing hair to pass therethrough. The opening is partially protected by a patch-like device having a plurality of flaps designed to permit hair to pass through the opening. Unfortunately, the patch-like device is both unsightly and may catch portions of the hair thereby causing mild discomfort.

[0005] The present invention is an opening, bordered by a smooth cuff, that allows hair to pass through unimpeded and eliminating any chance of hair catching. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is implemented in a knit beanie. The present invention also contemplates multiple openings to provide an opportunity for large amounts of hair to pass through and for creating attractive hair styles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a hat allowing a wearer's long hair to pass unimpeded therethrough.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hat allowing a wearer to create hair styles with hair that passes through multiple openings in a hat.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hat that can be worn without disrupting a wearer's hair style.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a knit beanie wearable by both men and women.

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention is preferably a knit beanie having an opening therein for allowing a wearer's long hair to pass therethrough. The opening is bordered by a smooth sewn cuff that prevents a wearer's hair from tangling or getting caught as it passes through the opening. Multiple openings permit wearer's to create hair styles with the hair passed through the openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a perspective side view of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 shows a perspective side view of the present invention as worn;

[0013]FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the present invention having multiple openings; and

[0014]FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the present invention having multiple openings as worn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention can be implemented on any style hat, but for purposes of brevity, a beanie is shown and described throughout this detailed description. Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of a beanie generally designated by reference numeral 10. The knitted beanie 10 includes an opening 15 near a wearer's upper rear scalp when worn. A cuff 20 borders the opening 15 and provides a smooth transition for a wearer's hair to pass therethrough. The position of the opening 15 is adjustable to account for varying lengths of hair. In other words, multiple designs, having different opening 15 positions, may be implemented to insure all styles of hair are conducive to the present invention.

[0016] The cuff 20 is preferably knitted directly to the circumference of the opening 15. In this manner, there is no chance that hair may be tangled or caught between the cuff 20 and the opening 15.

[0017]FIG. 2 illustrates the beanie 10 embodiment of FIG. 1 as worn by a long-haired woman. The woman simply gathers her lengthy hair into one hand and threads it through opening 15. The cuff 20 prevents the hair from being tangled or caught in the opening 15.

[0018] Now referring to FIG. 3, a beanie 25 having multiple openings 25-1, 25-2 provides a means for wearers to stylize the use of the beanie 25. Both openings 25-1, 25-2 include a cuff 30-1, 30-2 bordering the openings 25-1, 25-2 for providing a smooth transition for hair passage.

[0019]FIG. 4 shows a woman while wearing the beanie 25 having multiple openings 25-1, 25-2. In this instance one portion of hair passes through each opening 25-1, 25-2. Wearers are free to dictate how much hair passes through each opening 25-1, 25-2. Multiple openings allow more hair to passed comfortably through and provides a stylish appearance. Although only two openings 25-1, 25-2 are shown, it is contemplated that more than tow openings may be provided to allow even more hair to pass and for more complicated styles to be created.

[0020] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A beanie comprising. a beanie body having a first large opening for at least partially encompassing a wearer's head; one or more smaller openings incorporated in said beanie body for permitting the wearer's hair to pass therethrough; and a smooth cuff bordering said one or more openings, said smooth cuff preventing the hair from becoming caught as it passes therethrough.
 2. The beanie of claim 1 wherein said beanie is knitted
 3. The beanie of claim 1 wherein said one or more openings are adjacent a rear upper scalp of the wearer.
 4. The beanie of claim 1 wherein said one or more openings are adjacent a lower portion of the beanie.
 5. A cap comprising: a cap body having a first large opening for at least partially encompassing a wearer's head; one or more smaller openings incorporated in said cap body for permitting the wearer's hair to pass therethrough; and a smooth cuff bordering said one or more openings, said smooth cuff preventing the hair from becoming caught as it passes therethrough.
 6. The cap of claim 5 wherein said beanie is knitted.
 7. The cap of claim 5 wherein said one or more openings are adjacent a rear upper scalp of the wearer.
 8. The beanie of claim 5 wherein said one or more openings are adjacent a lower portion of the beanie.
 9. A head garment including: a body portion with a first large opening designed to allow the body portion to be placed at least partially over a wearer's head; said body portion having one or more smaller portions for allowing hair to pass therethrough; and a smooth cuff around the circumference of each opening, said cuff preventing the hair from becoming caught as it passes through the one or more smaller openings.
 10. The garment of claim 9 wherein said garment is knitted.
 11. The garment of claim 9 wherein said one or more openings are adjacent a rear upper scalp of the wearer.
 12. The beanie of claim 9 wherein said one or more openings are adjacent a lower portion of the beanie. 